Burbank Arts and Education Foundation

What it reported doing in 2025

The burbank arts & education foundation (baef) advances excellence and equity in burbank public schools by investing in creative, academic, and innovative learning opportunities for all students. With the support of donors and community partners, baef works to ensure that every student in the burbank unified school district (busd) has access to an engaging, inclusive, and inspiring public school experience.in 2025, baef awarded $65,153 in grants to schools throughout busd, funding a wide range of impactful programs. We received fewer than usual grant applications from schools in the spring and fall grant cycles, so we were unable to gift our allocated budget of $100,000. For this reason the board voted to increase our grants giving budget in 2026 to provide additional grantmaking opportunities.in 2025, baef's board approved a grantmaking budget of $100,000 for the foundation's spring and fall grant cycles. Due to fewer qualifying applications received from busd schools during these cycles, the foundation awarded $65,153 in grants during the year. The foundation's grantmaking process is application-driven, and awards reflect the volume and eligibility of requests received in a given cycle. Visual and performing arts: grants provided instruments, art supplies, theater workshops, production support, and upgraded equipment enabling students from elementary through high school to participate fully in high-quality arts education and performance and production experiences.stem enrichment: funding supported computer upgrades, math curriculum, outdoor classrooms, and hands-on science activities, equipping students with real-world problem-solving skills and access to cutting-edge technology.wellness, safety, and inclusion initiatives: the foundation prioritized mental health, physical wellness, and social-emotional learning by supporting school-based programs that create safe, inclusive environments where all students can thrive. The foundation funded a high school student driven project providing signs for easier and more accessible campus navigation.classroom innovation: teachers were empowered to enhance learning through play-based learning centers, project-based learning kits, creative instructional tools, and culturally responsive novels and curriculum-fostering deeper student engagement and academic growth.in 2025, we introduced a college preparation program, offering a low-cost college essay workshop to rising 12th graders.in september 2025, baef hosted its annual state of the schools event at woodbury university, bringing together educators, community leaders, and stakeholders to celebrate the accomplishments of the students and educators we support, and share our initiatives, and progress. The foundation's mission is closely aligned with these priorities, ensuring that community support is directed toward innovative and inclusive projects that strengthen the future of education in burbank.to further its outreach, baef also organized and participated in numerous community engagement events throughout the year. These events helped build awareness, foster meaningful connections, and celebrate the vital role of public education. Each gathering served as an opportunity to showcase student success stories and inspire continued investment in burbank's schools. Highlights were booths at burbank's holiday in the park and burbank non profit coalition's back to school backpack drive.in addition to its grantmaking and engagement efforts, baef maintained a strategic investment fund through its partnership with the community foundation of the verdugos, supporting long-term financial growth and sustainability.the foundation's impact is made possible by the generosity of individual donors, corporate sponsors, and dedicated volunteers. Baef continues to serve as a vital bridge between the community and public schools-working to ensure that every student, in every classroom, has access to opportunity, creativity, and success.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 66.5%; rating input score 67
• Program expense ratio: 64.3%; rating input score 64
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.03 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 13; 13th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 85.7%; rating input score 86; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 57%; rating input score 57; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 71
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 21.2%; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.26; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 1.3% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.6% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings